BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. – An accident involving a semi-truck early Thursday morning caused major problems in Cabell County. Around 4 a.m., a truck crashed in the westbound lanes of I-64 between the Merritt's Creek and 29th Street exits.

“After interviewing the driver, it is believed that he may have fallen asleep at the wheel and struck the vehicle that was following,” said Barboursville Police Chief Darren McNeil.

The “continuor” is the wall that separates the oncoming lane and often shifts during ongoing construction work. The construction zone extends for several kilometers. The first accident resulted in both directions of the highway being closed and detours put in place. Later that morning, the eastbound lanes reopened and, according to McNeil, they were about to open a westbound lane when the unthinkable happened.

“There was a second collision and we ultimately had to shut everything down again. It will probably take a few hours,” he said.

The second crash occurred at the other end of the sequel.

The first truck was carrying car parts and the second was loaded with frozen food. Both semi-trucks burst into flames, but neither driver was seriously injured. Both were taken to hospital for observation.

McNeil determined that the first driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, but the second accident was the result of a combination of distracted driving and poor weather conditions.

It will take a few more hours until the highway is at full capacity again. Eastbound detours will result in traffic being diverted onto U.S. Route 60 at 29th Street. Westbound motorists travel via the Merritt's Creek connector to Route 2 and then south to Huntington.